Eight other English-based players have been selected, with the 26-strong party being reduced to 23 before the start of the tournament in Brazil on 15 June.

Barcelona's Carles Puyol and Sevilla striker Alvaro Negredo miss out.

Real Madrid goalkeeper and Spain captain Iker Casillas also returns, having broken a finger in January, while midfielder Javi Martinez's superb form for Bayern Munich - who won the Bundesliga title and Champions League - earns him a comeback.

Torres in winning Spain squads

U16 European Championship: 2001

U19 European Championship: 2002

European Championship: 2008, 2012

World Cup: 2010

Appearances for full national side: 101. Goals: 31

Torres, who has scored 31 goals in 101 appearances for the Spain national side, has had a fine season with Chelsea, scoring 22 goals in 64 appearances this season, including netting the opener in the 2-1 Europa League final victory over Benfica.

"When Torres and Martinez didn't come in before, it was because we didn't think the moment was right. Now it is the opposite - they are both in good form," said Del Bosque.

He added: "It's almost impossible to have every player who merited a place. (Cesc) Fabregas, (David) Villa, Torres and Soldado are our four strikers. You could just as easily ask why we didn't include (Imanol) Agirretxe, Iago Aspas, Michu.

"We can't bring in everybody. We've deemed it fit to call up Soldado because he's had a great season.

"We've called up those players who are going to help us have the best tournament."

The world and European champions have two friendlies in the United States - against Haiti in Miami on 8 June and Ireland in New York three days later - before heading to Brazil.

Spain's first game in the Confederations Cup is in Recife on 16 June against 2011 Copa America winners Uruguay, with Tahiti and Nigeria also in Group B.

The eight-nation warm-up event for next year's World Cup runs until 30 June.